Yes, so that automatcially qualifies every official (present company of 2 officials in this thread excluded, I am assuming ) as having a screw loose.

There are some amazing refs and some really terrible ones.

I was at a tournament where the two refs were the complete opposite of each other.

One was writing up the kids for throwing their racquets, cursing and cheating.
I actually watched him write up 3 kids in 2 hours.
I was wowed by him as one parent argued with him after the match and he held firm.

The other one couldn't even keep score.
Now, I know he must know how to do it.
But, he stood on the court and just couldn't keep the score, probably bc he kept looking at his phone.

For me, bottom line, sadly there are more refs
1) taking lunch breaks together
2) chatting with other refs or texting ( my personal peeve) while standing on court
3) Not overuling bad calls
4) Not writing up kids for throwing their racquets, or for swearing.
( I can't tell you how many times I hear the F word and the kid just gets a warning).

Sadly, they outweigh the good refs (who take pride in doing a good job).

I was at a tournament where the two refs were the complete opposite of each other.

One was writing up the kids for throwing their racquets, cursing and cheating.
I actually watched him write up 3 kids in 2 hours.
I was wowed by him as one parent argued with him after the match and he held firm.

The other one couldn't even keep score.
Now, I know he must know how to do it.
But, he stood on the court and just couldn't keep the score, probably bc he kept looking at his phone.

For me, bottom line, sadly there are more refs
1) taking lunch breaks together
2) chatting with other refs or texting ( my personal peeve) while standing on court
3) Not overuling bad calls
4) Not writing up kids for throwing their racquets, or for swearing.
( I can't tell you how many times I hear the F word and the kid just gets a warning).

Sadly, they outweigh the good refs (who take pride in doing a good job).

Of course there are bad apples. I do not agree that bad officials outweigh the good ones. Obviously #2 is unacceptable. #1 (depending on how many officials are working the event) can be unacceptable as well. As to #3, of course I don't pay attention to people from off court that the calls are bad. As to #4, just because someone says it, doesn't mean that it has to be a code violation. If you are standing right near the fence, and someone is collecting a ball and happens to say it quietly to themselves and you happen to hear it, maybe not. Of course, there are several times when a code violation should be given and it is not, and that is unfortunate and yes there should be more consistency. But, some parents think that if the racket touches the court, a player should get a code violation for it. Most parents, officials, etc. feel that a player has to vent a bit as well. So, a lot of times, a soft warning (caution) is warranted. A lot of those times, it cuts it off. Sometimes it does not, then you can get into code violations.

Woodrow: None of the things you listed make the ref bad. They make $10-12 an hour. They have to put up with some mannerless kids and crazed parents. Many kids today have no respect for adults. And they are enabled by their helicopter parents. When I was a kid my dad told me, "Rule #1- the coach is always right and you are always wrong. Rule #2- If you think you are right see Rule #1." Then he would tell the coach, " Do me a favor and discipline him whenever you think he needs it. You don't have to explain it to me."

Woodrow: None of the things you listed make the ref bad. They make $10-12 an hour. They have to put up with some mannerless kids and crazed parents. Many kids today have no respect for adults. And they are enabled by their helicopter parents. When I was a kid my dad told me, "Rule #1- the coach is always right and you are always wrong. Rule #2- If you think you are right see Rule #1." Then he would tell the coach, " Do me a favor and discipline him whenever you think he needs it. You don't have to explain it to me."

Just out of curiosity, why direct that post to me? It was the person I quoted that listed things. I know what officials make. I have been an official for 17 years.

My daughter was playing in a USTA tournament this summer. The ref walked over during a game that she was receiving. She called a serve out that was clearly wide in the center. The ref said it was in and gave the other girl the point. My daughter didn't say anything and ended up winning that game (at which point the ref headed to another court).

On the changeover the other girl said "that serve of mine he called good was wide by 3-inches". The ref seemed like a nice guy and I'm sure thought he made the correct call. Most of them I have seen at USTA junior tournaments are just regular people trying to do the best they can. I do agree with Woodrow that it is usually the parents that get worked up, not the kids.

Sorry, didn't mean to derail the thread. I was being a bit facetious about the refs. I'm sure there are good one out there that are passionate and knowledgeable, but you gotta admit, there is not a lot of incentive to be a USTA ref. I think that's why you see a lot of oddballs.

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